1
2
as in to shift
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
news coverage of the fire stirred many to send donations to a fund for the families who had lost their homes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stir
Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
An ugly joy stirred within her.
—‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
ABC News, 1 May 2026
When the news came that a horse had scratched, a great stir rose, and several of the groomsmen who were sitting in the stalls with their horse wards scurried to start their brisk brushing to get the pine shavings off and used their jute sacks to spit-shine the coats slick.
—Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stir
Verb
Adaptogens are everywhere right now — stirred into morning coffee, mixed into mocktails, packed into gummies and even worked into skincare.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
An ugly joy stirred within her.
—‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Noun
His first exhibition in 1963 reportedly caused a stir, with a vice squad identifying pornography in at least two of his paintings, and confiscating them.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
When the news came that a horse had scratched, a great stir rose, and several of the groomsmen who were sitting in the stalls with their horse wards scurried to start their brisk brushing to get the pine shavings off and used their jute sacks to spit-shine the coats slick.
—Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir
Verb
-
The aqueous action scenes — cascades of water swirling around aerial charges — should play out nicely on the big screen during the film’s theatrical release.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
-
The water still trapped within the comet likely formed long before its host star, but 3I/ATLAS was born afterward from a protoplanetary disk of gas and dust that swirled around the star — the same disk where planets form, Salazar Manzano said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Ever the optimist, Obama shifted out of his defensive posture.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Conversations can start light but shift quickly once something real needs to be said.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The Declaration’s insurrectionist contention—that people, when unjustly provoked, have the right to dissolve their government—hung heavily in a country that had just witnessed the eleven states of the Confederacy make the same argument.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchéz, are honorary chairs and lead sponsors of the gala — which has provoked an activist group to call for a boycott of the event.—
Ivy Buck,
NPR,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Wayfair has hundreds of on-sale quilts, but the best picks feature breathable linen, cool-to-the-touch percale cotton, and lightweight washed microfiber.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2026
-
Lastly, either wash the gloves or throw them away, then wash your hands.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
There is still work to do; however, current congressional leadership has moved us in the right direction.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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Before the vote, loud boos resounded as House Republicans arrived and moved through a crowd of protesters from the elevator to the House chamber.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Officials also encourage businesses to give customers a glimpse of how dim sum is made through live-streaming.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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Becerra proposes to require cities and counties to approve or deny building permits within 90 days, loosening certain regulations for infill projects and reforming construction defect laws to encourage more construction of entry-level condos.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Before being whisked away to their next stop, Queen Camilla made sure to grab some Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies for the road.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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The pair even took a turn through the tunnel themselves that day, riding in the queen’s Rolls-Royce as it was whisked through aboard the train.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Coloring helps Kathy with her dementia, calming her anxiety and helping stimulate cognition.—
Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
7 May 2026
-
Lion’s mane stimulates nerve growth factor and neurogenesis, enhances memory, focus, clarity and mood, and chaga mushrooms can enhance physical performance, oxygen utilization and give an endurance boost.—
Ryan Brennan
May 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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